Weight Watchers helped her become a fit mommy

It’s “One Fit Mommy” Week!
Get inspired by fit mommies all week long

Today’s fit mommy is Michelle, who blogs over at Weight Watcher is a Runner Now. She is a busy mom with 3 boys, works full time as a teacher, and has successfully lost over 70lbs thanks to the Weight Watchers program. In her road to fitness, she discovered she is a runner and is currently training for her first marathon.

Please read on for more about Michelle and I think you will agree she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

Q: Have you always been fit?
A: As a young child I was fit. I was in soccer, basketball, volleyball and track. When I reached high school, I quit all of my sports. I wanted to be more social. I was on the dance/drill team which was some aerobic exercise, but dropped out midway my senior year. That’s when I really started to become unfit.

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
A: At first, my goal was to simply loose weight so I could get pregnant. You see, I had one child and tried for my 2nd. I had a really hard time conceiving the 2nd child. I was diagnosed as prediabetic, mild polycystic ovaries, and mild endometriosis. All of these conditions are worsened by obesity. My BMI was in the morbid obese category. I was placed on medications for the prediabetes. Also, I had sleep apnea, asthma, and acid reflux. I had to sleep with a CPAP mask every night. Very unattractive. I looked like Darth Vadar. My poor husband I’m sure loved sleeping next to me. I was taking $40 worth of Prevacid monthly for the acid reflux. I would be in severe pain if I ran out of my meds and no over the counter medicine helped me. After all of these health conditions, the one that did it for me was the word PREDIABETES. I did NOT want to become diabetic at 32 years old! I knew I had to change. So I lost 30 pounds and that was enough to get pregnant. Really pregnant….after having fertility problems…I became pregnant with twins! About 3 months after the twins were born, I really starting trying to lose weight again. I lost about 75 pounds using Weight Watchers. Even though I was thinner, I wouldn’t say I was fit. I had lost my weight without exercising at all! Once I was at a healthy weight, I started going to the gym. I love to dance so I’d take step aerobics classes, strength training classes, and then tried the machines. It’s been about 2 years that I’d say I’ve became FIT and healthy. I now workout regularly. Also, my sister in law was a huge inspiration to me. She was also overweight too and hated exercise. One day she decided she wanted to try jogging. She starting jogging while she was overweight. The weight just melted off of her. Not even a year into her running she decided to do a marathon! Who does that?!? I figured if she could do a marathon right away I could at least start trying to run.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
A: I am a mother of three boys aged 8 and 3 1/2. Also, I am a full time elementary school teacher. I understand about having a hectic schedule. It’s really easy for mommies to have that “mommy guilt.” I feel it too. I’m already at work all day and should I really take up another hour away from them to workout? My answer: YES. Before I became fit, I wouldn’t be able to chase after them, ride bikes with them, take hikes, etc. There’s no way I’d be able to catch up with them. After about 2 minutes I’d need to take a nap. Being healthy makes me a better and more involved mom. Look carefully at your schedule. If you don’t think there’s any time in your day, I would ask you to rethink it. I HATE mornings. I’m not a morning person at all. But I wake up at 5 AM to workout. That way, it’s not mommy time since my kids are asleep and it’s just me time. If waking up before your kids doesn’t work, can you workout during their nap? I bought a treadmill so if I needed to I could run at my house. Many times during the summer, my boys will come downstairs to watch me and play while I run. It’s a great example for them to see me being healthy. Also, you could get your children involved with you. Do active things with them. Pick them up and dance with them. I bought a bike trailer to pull my toddlers around while I ride my bike with my son. Our family has a Wii and we have Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and now Wii Active. My oldest son loves the activities on these and we can do them together. If you’re too busy running around driving your children to their different activities, maybe between things you could do a 10 minute walk here or there. When I used to take my son to soccer, I would run around the neighborhood while he was at practice. Then I might do step ups or dips on the bench there. I would just try to just not SIT for an hour when I could be active like my son.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
A: Right now running. I never used to think I’d be a runner. In fact, I remember telling my sister in law when she told me she was running that I’d rather get stabbed in the eye with an ice pick than run. But I got the bug. It’s a fast and efficient way to get a workout. That’s why I like it. I can burn 400 calories in about 32 minutes! It’s perfect for someone who is rushed for time. I started running races and that really is a thrill! I live to race. I never knew I was so competitive until I started racing. I’ve done 5K’s, 5 milers, 10K’s, 12K’s, and two half marathons. Currently I have decided to train for a full marathon!

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
A: Cardio. I know I need to add more strength training. I’ve been trying to add more strength training on my cross training days. I am in LOVE with Jillian Michaels DVD’s!

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
A: I say, “Just try it for 5 minutes to see how you feel.” Or I’ll picture myself with all of my fat rolls and that can get me going too! If I’m truly too tired in the morning, I’ll try again in the afternoon after work. If it’s still not right, I listen to my body and rest that day.

Q: What is your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
Hmm, I don’t really have a brand. I buy a lot of Nike, but sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t. I like clothes that really wick and doesn’t show my sweat because I sweat a lot! I like Jockey and Adidas. If you know of a good brand that is good at wicking and hiding sweat please let me know!

You can see more interviews with other fit moms (and dads too!) over here.

Counting calories? Be sure to visit this calorie counter to help you keep track of your daily calories.

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Tagged as: jockey, Nike, Weight Watchers